Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-02-23
MUST GO up FOR LIFE.
George Trout, Sioux City Gambler,
Receives the Life Sentence for the
Murder Of Ed. Hatch.

On the evening Of July 3, 1885, George
Trout shot and killed Ed. L. Hatch at
Sioux City. The two were partners in the
operation Of gambling room, and were
themselves regarded as experts in Showing
the queer. During the afternoon Of the
day of the murder Trout and Hatch ex-
changed words over game in which the
latter was winning handsomely. Trout be-
ing in liquor, Hatch gave his remarks but
little attention, and soon left the rooms,
not returning until about s o'clock in the
evening. In the meantime Trout had been
drinking heavily, and on Hatch's return re.
newed the quarrel Of the afternoon. Ap..
preaching Hatch, he drew a revolver and
demanded satisfaction, to which Hatch re-
piled that he had no grievance to avenge or
apologies TO make, and, besides, was un-
armed, at the same throwing back his coat
10 show Trout that he was not prepared to
defend himself against his threatened at
tack. At this juncture friends interfered
and induced Trout to put away his weapon.
Thus the trouble was supposed to have
been settled, ut least until Trout
became sober, when he would not be likely
to recall it. No further attention was
given the matter, and games were resumed,
until suddenly Trout approached Hatch
with the remark, "D-n him, III shoot him
anyhow, and fired, the shot taking effect
in the region of the heart. Hatch ran
down rear narrow stairyway into an alley,
where he fell and expired at the feet Of his
murderer, who Immediately followed and
escaped in the darkness. For several
weeks Trout evaded arrest, but he was
finally found at work on farm in Dakota.
He was loading hay when the officer ac-
costed him, and denied that he was the
man wanted, yet made no resistance to the
arrest. Since then he has been confined
in Jail at Sioux City. The Grand Jury re-
turned an indictment against him of muir
der in the first degree. In the trial, which
lasted q week. he attempted no defense,
except to plead not guilty and prove hered-
itary insanity. 1t was shown that bis
mother was insane, and in an asylum; that
his brother had killed his wife and then
suicided, and that Trout himself had at
times acted strangely; one instance being
given of his wearing an overcoat for several
days during the hottest of summer weather.
| The prosecution met this, however, with
evidence showing that Trout wore the over
coat to conceal revolver carried with muir
derous intent. 1t was also shown that, a
Texan by birth, he was of family Of the
hottest Southern blood. Not the slightest
provocation for the murder of Hatch was
proven, nor attempted TO be proven. Able
counsel appointed by the court, in the alb
sence of friends, and paid ly the State, did
all that was possible to be done for the
criminal in an impartial trial, which re-
suited in a verdict of guilty as indicted, the
jury placing the penalty at life-imprison-
| ment.
| Z. L. Hatch. the victim, Was we'll
known character in sporting circles through
out the Northwest. He WAS not ven 10
excessive drinking; was we'll educated, and
for time practiced law at Wayne, Neb.
Though he had chosen the profession of q
gambler, he had none Of the disposition OF
| a vagabond. All who knew him will con-
cede the righteousness of the verdict agains.
| his murderer.